YES - 'MARCH OF PROGRESS' VIEW
The march of progress view argues that childhood as improved significantly, and paints a rather dark picture of children in the past. Sociologists like Aries argue that children are more valued, protected, educated and cared for than ever before. Numerous laws have been put into place in the last century protecting children from being exploited, such as the child protection laws and the labour laws.
Better healthcare, lower infant mortality rate and lower births per woman have lead to the increased life expectancy and quality for any child born in todays generation. The family has become 'child centred' and are a key part of the family life. Parents now invest a great deal of time, money and emotion into raising their children and spend a great deal more time with them than previous generations.
Better healthcare, lower infant mortality rate and lower births per woman have lead to the increased life expectancy and quality for any child born in todays generation. The family has become 'child centred' and are a key part of the family life. Parents now invest a great deal of time, money and emotion into raising their children and spend a great deal more time with them than previous generations.
NO - THE CONFLICT VIEW
Conflict theorists such as marxists and feminists argue that childhood has not improved in recent generations. They argue that children are even more unequal to adults in todays society than ever before. They view childhood as just another form of oppression, and a way to control and manipulate them. Child protection laws such as the labour laws leave children vulnerable and unable to care for themselves, and reliant on adults. They believe there is a large amount of uneccesary control over a childs life, such as where they are allowed to go, when they are allowed to do certain things.
Conflict theorists also argue that quality of life has not improved for every child in the world either. Childhood experiences vary from culture to culture, and even in the western world, children are still living in poverty, and experiencing abuse and neglect.
Conflict theorists also argue that quality of life has not improved for every child in the world either. Childhood experiences vary from culture to culture, and even in the western world, children are still living in poverty, and experiencing abuse and neglect.
Teaching points
* Group task, given the yes or no argument and asked to present it to the class through the form of poster/mind map on large A3 paper.
* Individual task - compose a table of yes and no, fill in with the relevant arguments.
* Work as a class to do a practice essay. Come up with essay plan, evaluate the two theories, compare the two theories and structure into an essay.
* Individual task - compose a table of yes and no, fill in with the relevant arguments.
* Work as a class to do a practice essay. Come up with essay plan, evaluate the two theories, compare the two theories and structure into an essay.
